Kirk Hauser Obituary

URBANA - Kirk Hauser of Urbana died on Memorial Day (May 26, 2025) at Westminster Place, Evanston.

Born in Chicago on Aug. 15, 1944, to Merrill and Edna Hauser, Kirk grew up in Oak Park. After graduating from Oak Park and River Forest High School, he enrolled at University of Dubuque. Inspired by President Kennedy's call to citizens to "ask what you can do for your country," he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1964 and served in Vietnam from 1965-66. He was discharged in 1970 at the rank of corporal. He earned a B.A. in psychology from Dubuque, an M.A. in psychology from Emporia State University, a Ph.D. in clinical counseling from North Texas State University, and a doctorate in psychotherapy from the Chicago Institute of Psychoanalysis. He worked as a clinical psychologist in Chicago, Kankakee, Manteno and at Carle Clinic in Urbana and Danville, retiring in 2005.

Kirk was married to Susan Holland from 1968 to 1992. They raised three children, Michael, Jody and David, in Kansas, Texas and Illinois. During this time, Kirk enjoyed marathon running, oil painting, home renovation, cross-country family road trips and hosting barbecues for friends, neighbors and coworkers. He was a Chicago White Sox fan, and whenever possible, he preferred connecting with people while tossing a ball back and forth.

In 1998, Kirk married Valerie Hoffman, a professor at the University of Illinois and mother of three. He accompanied her to Zanzibar in 1998 and 1999. A tour of Zanzibar's hospitals inspired him to organize a donation of equipment from Carle Clinic. In 1999, he accompanied Valerie to Iran, where he spoke on self-psychology at the Tehran Psychiatric Institute, returning in 2000 to give a two-week course on the evolution of psychoanalysis. As a University of Illinois Graduate College Scholar, he traveled to Uganda and Liberia to study the experiences and social readjustment of former child soldiers. After retirement, Kirk pursued various interests, including the role of psychology in peacemaking. He met with Sergei Khrushchev to learn the true story of diplomacy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He met regularly with local military veterans, including former South Vietnamese Marines and U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghan wars. In 2019, he was awarded the Mowrer Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Professional Support for his mentoring of veterans. He also developed his woodworking skills, making of this avocation a full-time preoccupation. He created approximately 150 items, including large furniture, a backyard covered porch, ornamental items with delicate inlay, and kinetic structures with wooden gears.

Kirk is survived by his wife; brother, Kenneth; former wife; their children, Michael (Caroline), Jody (Jay Murphy) and David (Euphemia Thomopulos); three stepchildren, Rachel Gladd (Dave), Michael Ladd (fiancée Taylor Krage) and Deborah Hogan (Matthew); nine grandchildren; and two stepgrandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home, Glenview, on Thursday, June 5, at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

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